Yesterday saw the completion of a gruelling five day swimming camp held at the BASA pool facility and Saltus Grammar School complex for 29 participants drawn from all three local swimming clubs.

The camp ? that covered a complete spectrum of training methods for all four competitive strokes, starts and turns ? was co-ordinated by national coaches Ben Smith and Richard Goodwin.

Participants ranged in age between nine and 20, with youngsters totalling 40,000 metres and seniors 50,000 over the five-day course.

Olympic swimmer Jennifer Smatt Atkins, Cathy Belvedere and physiotherapist Maureen Ryan were also on hand as guest speakers for the event that concluded with a social evening at the Tuscany Restaurant for all participants and their parents.

Over the course of the swim camp participants were required to undergo an intensive regimen of training, including two hour pool sessions, one hour dry land sessions to further enhance physical conditioning in addition to sessions in the classroom.

The days? activities then concluded with yet another two-hour session in the pool.

The final session of the camp was a series of time trials consisting of five 200 metre races, each covering the four competitive strokes.

Participants also received a special treat from national football coach Kyle Lightbourne who conducted last Sunday?s dry land training segment of the camp.